Home
FacebookSearchMenu
  • Subscribe (free)
  • Subscribe (free)
  • News
  • Features
  • TravelInfo
  • Columns
  • Community
  • Sponsored
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send Us News

Share

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

FAA focuses on pilot mental health

20 Nov 2023
Comments | 0

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on November 9 that they would appoint a committee to provide recommendations for addressing any possible mental health challenges pilots faced.

Last month, reuters.com reported that an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot was charged with trying to switch off an aircraft’s engines during a flight. On his arrest, he told police he was suffering a nervous breakdown.

“Mental healthcare has made great strides in recent years, and we want to make sure the FAA is considering those advances when we evaluate the health of pilots,” said FAA Administrator, Mike Whitaker.

In July, an Inspector General Office report on pilot mental health criticised the FAA for creating a reluctance among pilots to disclose their mental health conditions and inhibiting their ability to mitigate safety risks.

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said the board planned to hold its first forum on December 6 to review the FAA’s oversight of pilot mental health.

“The current system is broken and has been for a long time,” Homendy told reporters. She said pilots must report their mental health condition to aviation medical examiners, who then assessed their fitness to fly, but that many were fearful they could lose their jobs if they mentioned they were going to therapy.

“We don’t want to create an unsafe system, but mental health is dynamic,” said Homendy. She explained that there were ways of managing wellness with mental health challenges rather than leaving pilots wondering if they were going to be able to fly again.

Air Line Pilots Association President Jason Ambrosi, told reuters.com there was an urgent need to destigmatise mental health for pilots. “We need to make people understand it is okay for them to talk to someone.”

 

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.

Last-minute cruises? Still plenty of space

Yesterday
Comments | 0

Park Hyatt opens in Johannesburg

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Windstar’s newest ship debuts Med sailings

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Rome hikes public transport tickets

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Movers and Shakers: City Lodge veteran retires

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Latest Changes on Travelinfo (02Jul'25)

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Cruise pax hit by Irish visa backlog

01 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Sandton’s sweetest new stay awaits

Sponsored
01 Jul 2025

Proflight expands seasonal schedule

01 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Hong Kong to increase visa fees

01 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

2026 opening for ultra-luxury V&A Waterfront hotel

01 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Feature: Leisure clients seek meaning in their travel experiences

01 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Spain orders Booking.com to remove listings

01 Jul 2025
Comments | 0
  • Load more

FeatureClick to view

MICE in cruising July 2025

Poll

Have your clients experienced longer queues than usual at security at OR Tambo International in recent weeks?
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Travel News on Facebook
  • eTNW Twitter
  • Travel News RSS
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send Us News